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Driving in the UK: 7 Tips to Protect Yourself on the Road

Beautiful nature, luxury resorts and unique sights of England annually attract thousands of tourists. If you are an experienced driver and a true fan of travelling, then only a car provided by rentalcars24h will make you experience a true freedom of movement. That’s why, many tourists, who visiting the UK often use rental cars.

However, you should remember that, like in many other countries, the traffic in England has its own specific characteristics. The ignorance of these features may result in serious troubles. Therefore, before you start your car tour, read on the following key points that are worth to remember while driving a car in the UK.

Major rules

The main feature of the UK traffic is that it is left-handed. But, no worries: you will quickly adapt to the new driving conditions. In addition, the road marking in England is highly informative, and therefore provides substantial assistance to the drivers.

You should overtake a car in England from the right side.

At the roundabouts the vehicles that are on your right side have the priority.

Standard speed limits: up to 30 miles/h in the towns, up to 60 miles/h on the other roads and up to 70 miles/h on the highways and roadways.

Booking a rental car

Now, as you know the UK traffic rules, it’s time to choose a suitable vehicle for your trip. There’s a great range of cheap deals available online, so, for sure, you will find there what you need. Most offers include in the price insurance coverage and unlimited mileage. On the request, you can add an additional driver to the reservation or order some special equipment, like GPS, child seats, etc.

If you plan to make a long tour by car, you may consider one way rental with a suitable drop-off location. It will let you travel to any place around the UK without a need to make a long trip back.

Hopefully, the given above tips will contribute a lot to making your trip safe and comfortable!

Using dipped headlights

Remember of using dipped headlights during the night (from half an hour after the sunset till half an hour before the sunrise) on all the roads without street lighting.

Use dipped headlights at night even on the illuminated highways and roads with a speed limit of over 30 miles/h.

Using safety belts

It is compulsory to use safety belts both for the front and the rear passengers. If the car doesn’t have seat belts, for example, it’s a classic car – then it’s not allowed to transport children under 3 years old. Moreover, children over 3 years old are allowed to sit only in the rear seats. These rules apply only if the car was originally released without seat belts.

Driving with children

Children up to 12 years or up to 135 cm in height must stay in a child seat while driving. Children under 3 years of age must be carried in a child restraint device according to their weight.

Remember to disable your front airbags before installing a child seat in the front seat.

In the UK it is allowed to use child seats only relevant to EU standards. When making a car hire reservation you can order a child seat of any type and size.

Using cell phones

When driving a car, you can use a phone only with a hands-free system. Don’t even try to use a phone even when you just stop at traffic lights or stay in a traffic jam. If you violate the rule you will be fined £ 100.

Parking in the UK

In the UK there are specific rules of car parking. First of all, make sure that you do it in the permitted area, otherwise you will be fined. Secondly, pay attention to the lines:

Single yellow and red lines mean that there are restrictions for parking at a certain time. It is allowed to stop there for disembarking passengers, but a driver should stay in a car in the meanwhile.

Double yellow and red lines mean that parking is prohibited at any time.

In most places, the payment for parking is accepted through parking machines.

Driving while intoxicated

Maximum allowable level of alcohol concentration in the blood is 0.8 ‰. A driver who is suspected of breaking the traffic regulations may be asked to pass the test showing blood alcohol content.

If the violation has been committed for the first time, the fine of up to £ 5,000 and/or imprisonment for 6 months will be applied.

The same punishment is applied in case of refusal to pass the test for blood alcohol content.

These are the major points that you should remember of before you start driving a car in the UK. However, it’s recommended to check out more detailed information about basic driving regulations in case you still have some questions.